Power-transmission apparatus.



PATVBNTBD Smm-18, 1906'.

Wl DI I POWER TRANSMISSION APPARATUS.

AP PLIOATION FILED 00T.30, 1905.

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,PATPNTPDSPPTl 18 W. D. HAWK. i POWER TRANSMISSION APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OOT.30,1905.

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PATBNTBD SEPT. 18, 1906.

.APPLIOATION FILED 00T.30, 1905.

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INVENTOR I ATT- 011m lrotation of the IV ALTER D. HAWK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

POWER-TRANSMISSION APPARATUS.

ASpeccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 18, 1906.

Application filed October 30, `1905. Serial No. 285,075.

.To (zi/, 'za/wm it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER D. HAWK, a ctiacn of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Power-Transmission Apparatus, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to apparatus for transmitting power, and more particularly to a reversible ,variable-speed power-transmission device employing frictional gearing.

The object of the invention is to provide a frictional power-transmission device which is simple and durable inconstruction and effective in operation b `which the direction; of

diiven `member may be quickly and readily reversed and the speed of rotation in either direction adjusted as desired betweenfwide limits and which is capable of transmitting a large amount of power.

A power-transmission apparatus built in accordance With my invention is particularly applicable for use on self-propelled vehicles, not only on the smaller automobiles carrying from two to lsix passengers, but also on the larger light passenger railwaycars and heavy trucks. The apparatus is also adapted for use in other relations-as, for instance, in

connection with machine-tools-and therefore I do not wish to be understood as limited to any particular use.

The novel feature which I believe to be characteristic of my invention will be definitely indicated in the claims appended hereto.

The details of the construction and the method of operation of my improved powertransmission apparatus will ,be understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which show theA preferred embodiment of my invention, and in Which- Figure l is a top view; Fig. 2, an elevation of the transmission apparatus.- Fig. 3 isa View of the mechanism for operating the friction-rollers, and Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

In the. drawings I have shown my im proved transmission as applied to an automobile; but' it will be understood that this is merely for purposes of illustration.

The frame of the machine is indicatedat, l and an auxiliary frame 2 is secured thereon. The parts of the transmission mechanism are carried by this framework.

` 8 indicates the driving-shaft, in this case the shaft driven by the engine of the automobile, and may run continuously at constant speed. Depending from the under side of the frame 2 is a bearing 9 for the shaft. Secured on shaft 8 is a friction-disk 3. Two sets of friction-rollers 4 and 5 and 6 and 7 are adapted to engage the disk 3, one set on one side of the axis of the disk to give rotation of the driven shaft in one direction and the other set on the opposite side of the disk-axis to give rotation of the driven shaft in the opposite direction. The tWo rollers of each set are arranged to engage the disk on opposite sides thereof, so that when the rollers are in the operative position they squeeze the disk 3 between them, and the. e is therefore no twisting effect upon the disk due to the pressure of the rollers. The rollers 4, 5, 6, and 7 are splined, Fig. 3, on'pivoted shafts 11, 12, 13, and 14, respectively. The hub 15 of each roller is provided with a peripheral groove. hilounted in bearings on the frame 2 is a rod 16, having reverse threads of heavy pitch cut therein, as ,shown in Figs. 1" and 4. This rod carries a gear 17,l connected by a chain 1S rwith a gear 19, mounted on a shaft 20, supported in suitable bearings and carrying a bevel-gear 21. This gear meshes with a gear 22, mounted on shaft 23, which extends upward and carries a suitable handle, so that turning this handle causes rotation of the shaft 1G inits bearings. Threaded on the rod 16 are two yokes 24 and 25, each of which has in its ends oval-shaped openings, as shown in Fig. 3, the sides of which extend into the pcripheral grooves in the hubs 15 of the rollers of a set, the purpose of the oval shape of the. openings being to permit lateral movement of the shafts carrying the friction-rollers. As the friction-rollers are splined on the shafts by which they are supported, it will be seen that turning the lthreaded rod 16 moves both sets ofrollers radially with respect to disk 3.

The shafts 11, I2, 13, and 1.4, carrying the friction-rollers 4, 5, 6, and 7, respectively, are pivoted, and means are provided for turning them about their pivots to move. the rollers carried thereby into and out of flictional engagement with the disk 3.

Secured to each side of the frame 1 is a support 26, to which is pivoted on a vertica Laxis a clevis 27, in the arms of which are formed bearings. vDepending from the frame and extending down below the bearing 9 is an arm 28, carrying a bolt 29, on which are pivoted two bearing-boxes 30 and 31.

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bearings 30 'and'31 .The shaft 11 'issupporte'd atibne end in the bearing 3() andv at the othefipin the bearings in .the arms ot the"cl`evifs -27,"and shaft' 14 is similarlyffsupported at oneend in the bearing 31 and atthe other inthe bearings in the arms ofthe elevis 27 on the -other side of the frame. .Depending from, the frame, near the back thereof, is an arm 32, carrying at-it's end a bolt 33, on which -are'pivotally supported two bearing-boxes 34 'and 35, similarto the Bearings 36 and 37 are l ivoted on vertical axes in openings in the connected by a rod 46.

movement of the shafts carrying the friction` rollers,"A I vprovide two shafts 42 ,and 43,

mounted in suitable bearings and carrying cranks' 44 and 45, respectively, which are Secured to shaft 42 .is a lever 47, which extends upward to aposition convenient for the operator. Also gsecuredto shaft 44 are two cranks 48 and 49,

one extendingabove and the othr'below the horizontal when lever 47 is inthe middle p osition, as shown in the drawings. A link 50 ispiv-otally connected at one end to the free end of crank 48 and at the other toalug 63 on the top of' the bearing30. A link 51' similarly Connects crank 49 'and a lug on the top of the' bearing` 3l. Secured on shaft 43 i friction-rollers iinl any suitable manner,

are cranks 52'and 53, which are connected by.

links 54 and 55 to .the bearings 34 and 35, respectively, in a similar manner. f The driven shaft may be arranged to be driven by the In the drawings l have shown sprocket-gears 56 -and 57 on the shafts 11 and 14, respectively,

between the arms ofthe clevises 27.. The

vdriven shaft S8-inthis instance the rear axle of theautomobile-has gears 59 and '60j thereon, and chains 61 and 62 connect gears 56 and 59 and gears 57 and 60, respectively.-

The operation ofthe device now be described. ,When lthe engine I is driving .the

- shaft 8 and the disk 3 thereon' and it is desi'red to obtain forward rotation of the driven shaft 58, the lever 47 is moved forward from' the intermediate position shown inthe drawlings. This turns shaft 42\ and also shaft 43 by means of rod 46. in the. .directions to straighten out the toggles formed by the crank 48 and link 50 'and'by crank52 and link 54. This moves the bearings 30and 34l toward eachother-about theirI ivots 29 and i 33, respectively, thus turning s aft 11 about the vaxis-of the pivoted'elevis 27 and shaft 12 'about the axis of the pivoted bearing 3 6 untilfriction-rollers 4 and 5 engage disk'3 on op osite sides thereof. The pressure of the ro le'rs on: the disk de ends on the amount of pressure` applied to ever 47, and l iind" 1 .The rollers. can be moved in this that by the use of the toggles Vfor ositioning the rollers great pressure of the ro lerson the disk can be obtained without difficulty. Since vthe two rollers4 and 5', forming the set by which' forward rotation of .the driven shaft is obtained, bear on opposite sidesof the disk,l the disk is squeezed between them, and

there is no tendency to twist thedisk and bend itout of shape. The gears 38 and 39 transmit the power of shaft 12l to shaft 11,

and`frorri that shaft the power is transmitted to the'driven shaft. 58 by the gears 5 6 and 59 and chain 61.

l Only a very slight movement of the rollers of a setv is 'suflicient to Inove-v them into and out' of friotional -engagement with the disk 3, and the movement of shafts 11 and 1'2 to accomplish this has nomaterial eil' ect on the relation ofgears-38 and-39. The i parts are so arranged that when'rollers4'and 5 are in engagement withdisk the gears 56 35 and .5 9 lie in -the same plane', so that free working of the' arts is obtained. sired to vary t e speed at which shaft 58 is driven, vshaft 23 Lis turned by means of its` handle, thus rotating rod 16 in its bearings, and the rod when' turned moves yokes 24 and 25 longitudinally of the rod. Each' oke when moved thus causes movement. o the 'rollers ofl a set longitudinally on their respective shafts-that is, radially of disk 3. anner while held in contact with disk 3, and as vtheyare movedtward or. away from the disk-axis the speed of the driven shaft is' of course decreased or' increased. lf it is dereetion. This buckles the toggles for positioning the rollers 4 and.5, so that those roll# ers 'are moved out of frictional engagement With disk 3 and. straighten 'outthe toggles formed by crank 49v and link 51 and by crank 53 and link.55. y These toggles, acting on the bearings 31 and 35, turn shafts 14 and -13 about their pivots to bring rollers 7 'and '6 into' engagement .with disk 3.' Gears 4() and 41 transmit the power of shaft-13 to shaft 14, and chain 62 transmits the power of thetwo shafts to the driven shaft 58. As rollers 6' and 7 are on the side of the disk-axis opposite from rollers 4 and 5, the rotation of.s will in this case be in the opposite direction.- It Will be evident that the speed of rotation of shaft 58 can be adjusted over the full range while running in this direction just as when running in the forward direction. By

moving lever 47 to an intermediate osition, in which all the toggles are somew at bue? kled, all the rollers will be out of engagement with the disk 3 and shaft 58 remain at rest. f'

From the foregoing description it -Willjbe seen that by means of thi-js a can be obtained, the speed of rotation can be aratus rota# tion of the driven shaft in eit 'er direction sired to reverse vthe direction of rotation of.;- shaft 5 8, lever`47 is moved in the opposite'di' l ro aft 58,.

senese adjusted between wide limits for eir'her direction of rotation, a great degree of p essure of the friction-rollers on the disk can be readily obtained, the changes of speed can be quickly ina-de while the machine is ruiming, 5

and changing the direct-hin of rotation of the driven shaft is readily effected by the movement of a single lever.

The contacting frictional rollers may be iliade of any suitable material which will give a good frictional engagement between them.

' I find that good results are obtained by makthe rollers l and 7 and 5 and G are preferablyconca-ved, so that the rims of the rollers may be moved closer to the center of disk 3. Obviously the power can be transmitted from the shafts l2 and 13 to the driven shaft instead of shafts l1 and 14, ifdesired, in sub-l stantially the same manner as that illustrated, and the transmission can be by gears instead of by a chain and sprockets.

What I claim is 1. In a power-transmission apparatus, the conibin ation of a. shaft,a disk thereon, two sets of friction-rollers mount-ed to engage said disk on opposite sides of the disk-axis, the rollers of each set being mounted to engage the disk on opposite sides thereof, means for causing one set or the other set of rollers to engage said disk, and a second shaft connected to said rollers, substantially as set forth.

2. In a power-transm'ission apparatus, the combination of a driving-shaft, a disk mounted thereon, two sets of'friction-rollers, the

lrollers of each set being mounted to engage said disk on opposite sides thereof, one set on the side of the disk-axis opposite from that of the other, means for moving either set of rollers to cause them to engage said disk, and a driven shaft connected to said rollers,sub-

stantially as set forth.

3. In a power-transiuission apparatus, the combination of a driving-sliaft, a disk thereon, two sets of friction-rollers adapted to engage said disk on opposite sides of the diskaxis, the rollers of each set being mounted to engage the disk on opposite sides thereof, a driven shaft, gearing connecting eachof said friction-rollers with the -driven shaft, and means for moving the two sets of frictionrollers simultaneously toward or simultaneously away from the axis of said disk, sulstantially as set forth.

4. In a power-transmission apparatus, the combination of a driving-shaft, a disk thereon, two setsof friction-rollers adapted to engage said disk on opposite sides of the diskaxis, the rollers of each set being mounted to engage the disk on opposite sides thereof, means for moving said friction-rollers into and out of engagement with the disk, a driven shaft, gearing connecting each of said friction-rollers with the driven shaft, and means 'for moving the two sets of friction-rollers simult aneou sly toward or simultaneously away from the axis of said disk, substantially as set forth.- V

.5. In power-transmission apparatus, the combination of a driving-shaft, a disk secured thereon1 two sets of friction-rollers, the rollers of eachset being adapted to engage said disk on opposite sides thereof, one set on the side ol the disk-axis opposite from that of l the other, two pivoted shafts each carrying a roller of a set, supporting devices for the other roller of each set, means for turning either of said shafts on its pivot to cause the roller mounted thereon to engage said disk, and a driven' shaft connected to said frictionrollers, substantially as set forth.

6. In a power-transmission apparatus, the con'ibination of a driving-shaft, a disk secured thereon, two sets of friction-rollers, the rollers of each set being adapted to engage said disk on opposite sides thereof, one set on the side of the disk-axis opposite from that of the other, pivoted shafts upon each of which one of said rollers is mounted, mea-ns for turning onthcir pivots the shafts carrying the rollers of a set to cause the rollers thereon to engage said disk, and a driven shaft connected to said rollers, substantially as set forth.

7 In a power-transmission apparatus, the combination of a driving-shaft, a disk 'thereon, two sets of friction-rollers, the rollers of each set being mounted to engage said disk on opposite sides thereof, one set on the side of -the disk-axis opposite from that of the other, a plurality of shafts on each of which one of said rollers is mounted, gearing between the shafts carrying the rollersof a set, means for causing one set or the other set of rollers to engage said disk, and adriven shaft connected to the friction-rollers, substantially as set forth.

8. In a power-transmission apparatus, the

combination of a driving-shaft, a disk there-.

on, two sets of friction-rollers, the rollers of each set being mounted to engage said disk on opposite sides thereof, one set on the side of the disk-axis opposite from that of the other, pivoted shafts upon which rollers of different sets are mounted, gearing between each of said shafts and the roller of the same set as the one mounted on the shaft, means for turning either of said shafts on its pivot to cause the roller thereon to engage said disk, and driven shaft connected to said pivoted shafts, substantially as set forth.

9. In a power-transmission apparatus, the combination of a driving-shaftlta disk there on, two sets of friction-rollers, he rollers o IOO IIO

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each sa being alameda-@gage 'Said esk on opposite sides thereof, ione set on the side of the` disk-axis' o posite vfrom that of ythe other, ivoted shafts oneaeh of which one of saidfro l`ers lis mounted, gearing between the shafts carryingtheroller's of each set, meansl for turning on their pivots the 'shafts carrying 'the rollers of a set to cause the rollers there-` on to engage said disk, and a. driven shaft 1o connected ,to said pivoted shafts, substa ntial-1y assetf'orth; v I

10. In a power-transmission apparatus,

. the combination' of a shaft, a 'disk thereon,

k`the combination of a driving-sha t, a diskA t-Wo sets .of friction-rollers mounted to vengage said disk on opposite sides of the disk-axis, the rollers of each set being mounted to en.- gage the disk on 'opposite -sides thereof, means for moving a set of rollersradially with respect to the disk, lmeans for causing one -set orthe other set of rollers to engage said disk, anda second shaft-connected to said friction-rollers,- substantially as set forth.

11. Ina power-transmission a paratus,

ers-of each-set being adapted to engage said other, pivoted shafts upon different sets are mounted, gearing connectdisk on opposite sides thereof, one set on the side of-tlie disk-axis opposite from that ofthe which rollersl of ing the rollers of each setfmeans for moving either set of rollers radially with respect to the disk, meansr for turning said shafts on their pivots to c'ause either set of rollers to engage. the disk, and a driven shaftconnected to said friction-rollers; substantially as set forth. Y

13. In -a power-transmissionV apparatus, thecoinbination of a shaft, a disk thereon,

two sets of friction-rollers mounted to engage said disk on opposite sides of'the disk-axis, the rollers of each set being mounted to engage thev disk on opposite sides thereof, a sin- -gle means for causing one set or theother set of rollers to engage said disk, 'and a' second shaft connected to said friction-rollers, substantially as set forth.

14.4 VIn a power-transmission apparatus,

l the combination of ai shaft, a disk mounted thereon, two sets of friction-rollers, therol]- ers of each set being mounted-'to engage said disklon opposite. sides thereof, onel set on thi` side of the disk-axis opposite from that of the paratus,

ether, a lever; means operated thereby i moved 1n one direction forcasing one set df rollers to engage the disk, means operated /by the lever when moved in theo positedirecf tion for causing the other set rollers to siigage the disk, anda secondshaft connected to said rollers, substantially as set forth.

1. l5. In a power-transmission apparatua'tle ombination of a driving-shaft, a disk thereon, two sets offriction-rollers, therollers of each set being adapted to engage said disk on opposite sides thereof, one set on the side of 'A Y the disk-axisoppo'site from that ofthe other,"

in opposite directions forturning one or the .other of said shafts on its pivot to cause a set of rollers to engage the disk, anda driven shaftconnected to said friction-rollers, substantially as set forth. v A

16. In a power-transmissionapparatus, the combination ofadrivingi-shaft, a disk-mountpivoted'shafts each carrying a roller of a set,

a lever, means operated thereby when moved ed thereon, two sets of friction-rollers, the p rollers of each setbeing adapted to engage said disk lon opposite sides thereof, one set on the side of the disk-axis opposite from that of the other, pivoted shafts upon each of .which oneof said rollers is mounted, gearing connecting the rollers of each set, means for. moving either set of rollers radially with respect to the disk, alever, means operated thereby when moved in opposite directions for turning said'shaftson their pivots to cause one or the other of said sets of rollers to engage the l i I roo disk, and a driven shaft connected tosaid friction-rollers, substantially as set forth.

17. In a power-transmission apparatus,the

combination of a Adriving-shaft, a disk thereon, two sets. of friction-rollers', the rollers of each set being adapted to engage said disk on opposite sides thereof, one s'eton the side of the disk-axis opposite from that of the other, piv'oted shafts upon each of which one of said rollers is mounted, gearing connecting the roll-l ers of each set, means for moving either set of rollers radially of the disk, a lever, two'shafts actuated thereby, links'conn'e'cting each of carrying rollers of different sets, and a' driven shaftconnected to said friction-rollers, substant'ially as set forth. i

A- vv18. In a power-transmission apparatus, the

saidshafts with tivo of said pivoted shafts combination of a sliaftfa disk thereon, two' sets of friction-rollers mounted to engage said disk on opposite sides of the disk-axis, the

rollers of each set being niounted 'to engage the disk on'opposite sides thereof, a member connected to the rollers of a set and havingiathreaded opening therein, a threaded rod eX'- tending through said opening, means for turnother set of rollers to engage saidfdisk,`aiidV a second shaft connected to said rollers', sub-v stantially as set forth.

19. In a power-transii `ssion apparatus, the

ing said rod, means for causing one set ortie f Combination of a driving-shaft, a disk thereon, two friction-rollers adapted to engage said disk on opposite sides of the disk-axis, two members each connected to one of said rollers and each provided with a threaded opening, a threaded'rod extending through said openings, means for turning said rod, means for moving either of said rollers to cause it to engage said disk, and a driven shaft arranged to be driven by said friction-rollers, substantially as set forth.

20. In a power-transmission apparatus, the combination of a driving-shaft, a disk thereon, a friction-roller adapted to engage said disk, a shaft on which the roller is mounted,

a pivoted clevis having bearings for said shaft formed in the arms thereof, means for moving said shaft about the pivot-of theclevis to cause the friction-roller to engage and disengage saiddisk, a gear mounted on said shaft between the arms of the clevis, and a driven shaft actuated by said gear, substantially as .set forth.

2l. In a power-transmission apparatus, the combination of a' driving-shaft, a -disk thereon, two friction-rollers adapted'to engage said disk on opposite sides of the disk-axis, two

'g pivoted shafts on each of which one of said rollers is mounted, a shaft, vtwo cranks thereon, links connecting the cranks with said pivoted shafts, means for turning'the shaft carrying said cranks, and a driven .shaft connectd tlc; said friction-rollers,.substantially as set ort Z2. In a power-transmission apparatus, the combination lof a driving-shaft, a disk thereon, two sets of friction-rollers adapted to engage said disk on opposite sides of the diskaxis, the rollers of each set being mounted to 4 engage the disk on opposite sides thereof, pivoted shafts carrying rollers of different sets; means for turning said shafts on their pivots to cause.v the friction-rollers. to engage said disk, a driven shaft, gearing connecting each of said friction-rollers with the driven shaft, and means for movin said rollers radially with respect to the dis substantially as set ing said rollers radially With'respect to the disk, substantially as set forth. x This s 4eciiication signed and wltnessed this 23d ay of October, 1905.

WALTER Witnesses:

RILEY M. LITTLE, WALTER IRvIN. 

